Biology (BIO)

Note: Some courses listed here may run only once per academic year, or every other academic year. Not all courses are available on both campuses. The catalog is constantly changing. Visit the pace website to view the most current class schedule, class descriptions, and required or suggested prerequisites.

BIO 110 The Biological World (3 credits)
This course presents and illustrates the main principles of organization, function, perpetuation, and evolution of living forms.

BIO 118 Science as Inquiry and Analysis (3 credits)
This course provides an introduction to the methods of reasoning in the context of scientific inquiry with the aim of improving the ability to critically evaluate information. Reasoning will be explored from basic observation and evaluation of different types of scientific hypotheses using case studies from the history of science.

BIO 121H The Biology of Everyday Life: Living in Your Environment (3 credits)
An introduction to various biological concepts through applications to common activities and current issues. In this course, topics include air quality, water resource, land use and environmental sustainability.

BIO 122 Zoo Biology (3 credits)
No description available.

BIO 123 Biology and Contemporary Society (4 credits)
This course emphasizes the interdependence of biological systems to each other and to the environment in general. Discussions include topics such as evolution, plant and animal classification and structure, and concepts of bioethics. Students will be expected to discuss specific issues that impact biological systems, including humans.

BIO 170 / ENV 231 / INT 197S Spaceship Earth: Issues of Sustainability (6 credits)
These linked courses are based in discussion and activities. Students investigate the way human influence impacts our natural environment and how our actions are influenced by our beliefs and perceived needs. Test and media analysis undertaken by students will explore ecological issues shaping local, national, and international perspectives. The course will also evaluate environmental problems and use collaborative learning to explore creative solutions.

BIO 199B Environmental Biology (3 credits)
This course presents an overview of environmental issues from a biological perspective. The effects of air, water and ground pollution on the biosphere will be discussed as will current issues related to diversity, such as global climate change.

BIO 199D Topic: Science, Nature and Technology: The Influence of the Renaissance on the Modern Era (3 credits)
This course covers the History of Science from the Renaissance to the Modern Era and counts as a lab science requirement of the core.

BIO 205 Concepts in Environmental Science (3 credits)
This course provides an introduction to the basic concepts of environmental biology, chemistry and physics as they relate to an understanding of the sources of pollutants, both natural and those generated by human activities, their transport, fate, and levels in environmental media, namely air, water, soil, and food. Principles involved in processes such as chemical cycling within the living world, global weather patterns, and atmospheric energy balances will be addressed as they relate to these concepts. Hazard recognition and control are also discussed in terms of toxicology, epidemiology, exposure assessment, and risk assessment.

BIO 210 Ecology (4 credits)
An introduction to the study of the distribution and abundance of organisms in the natural world. Fundamental ecological concepts at the level of individuals, populations, communities, ecosystems, and the global environment will be discussed. Interactions among organisms will be examined. Application of ecological concepts to current environmental and conservation related issues will be presented. Laboratory periods will be devoted to field work.

BIO 215 / ENV 223 Urban Ecology (3 credits)
This course explores environmental issues that specifically relate to the urban scene. The focus is on understanding basic ecological dynamics of urban and suburban areas. Topics discussed include urban flora and fauna, climate, and pollutant effects on quality of life. Specific environmental-related urban public health problems are evaluated. A combination of lecture, demonstration and field trips are used to facilitate under- standing of basic concepts.

BIO 218 Genetically Modified Organisms (3 credits)
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMLO) have been a source of debate especially over the last decade as more and more of the world’s cropland is planted with genetically modified plants. Explore GMLOs from food plants to animal "pharming" where this same DNA technology is applied to animals such that they produce large amounts of human proteins, vaccines, and other substances for medical use. We will investigate various literatures for the social, economic, political, and environmental impact issues surrounding this technology.

BIO 220U Human Biology and Contemporary Society (4 credits - Learning Community)
This course is an issue and project based science course. Small and large-group discussions of issues that impact human biology and/or learning from the practical, theoretical and political standpoints will be the focus. It emphasizes the interdependence of human, plant and animal biology and the environment. This course will function as a seminar and hands-on laboratory workshop - with assigned readings from journals, periodicals and the internet. Students will be expected to choose an issue to further research and present their findings as a poster board and/or class presentation.

BIO 237 Biological Oceanography and Marine Biology (3 credits)
This course is an intensive overview of oceanography from the biological perspective emphasizing the interaction between the biotic and abiotic components of the marine environment. Specific topics include marine species of plants and animals, marine microbiology, food webs, energy flow and marine habitats.

BIO 281 Botany (4 credits)
An overview of the interrelationships, evolutionary development and taxonomy of representative species from the major divisions of the plant kingdom. Photosynthesis and respiratory will be discussed along with other physiological processes and morphology will be presented as it relates to function and taxonomic classification. Economic importance of plants and current topics such as biotechnology will be presented from an ecological and environmental impact perspective.

BIO 307 Microbial Ecology (4 credits)
This course is a study of microorganisms in the environment. It will focus on the physiology and metabolism, ecology, and functional diversity of some of the more common microorganisms. Students will be introduced to the domains of Archaea, Bacteria, Eukarya, and viruses, compare and contrast their morphological and physiological characteristics, and their role in ecology, along with the biogeochemical cycles.

BIO 322 Animal Behavior (4 credits)
An introduction to the mechanisms and adaptive significance of animal behavior. Fundamental principles derived from evolution, ecology, neurobiology, and development will be examined. Activities such as navigation and orientation, migration, feeding, echolocution, communication, predator-prey interactions, mating systems and parental care will be discussed using examples throughout the animal kingdom.

BIO 345 Introduction to Toxicology (3 credits)
An introduction to the study of the injurious effects of substances on living organisms. Consideration is given to mechanisms of entry to the body, the biochemistry of toxic substances within the body, including acute and chronic effects and long-term mutagenic and carcinogenic effects. The hazards and methods of handling toxic substances, and treatment for their effects are also considered.

BIO 399H / MGT 347 Topics in Biology: Ecotourism and Sustainable Development (3 credits)
This course travels to Brazil. Students will review ecological problems due to tourism. Prerequisite: BIO 102 or ENV 221 and ENV 222, and permission of Department

BIO 399J Topics in Biology: Wildlife Ecology and Conservation (3 or 4 credits)
This course provides a review of the ecology of mammals. Topics will include ecosystems and natural communities, food and cover, predators and predation, competitors and competition, wildlife diseases, animal behavior, urban wildlife, exotic wildlife, nongame and endangered wildlife, economics of wildlife, conserving wildlife, hunting and trapping, wildlife as a public trust and other important topics that evolve. The course will review both theoretical and methodological approaches associated with obtaining data from animals.

BIO 399K/MGT 347A Topics in Biology: Ecotourism and Sustainability in Tuscany (3 credits)
This course provides an opportunity to have an interdisciplinary experience in the study of ecotourism, sustainability and business/hospitality issues in Italy. Students will visit various venues that demonstrate sustainable business and environmental practices. Students will also participate in a community green mapping project in the Mugello Territories in Tuscany. Prerequisite: BIO 102 or ENV 221 and ENV 222 and permission of department chairperson required.

BIO 399L Topics in Biology: The Urban Green Roof (3 credits)
This field type course will provide students with experience in developing plans and plantings for the urban green roof to be built on the Pace NYC campus. Students will learn the history of urban green roofs and the environmental advantages. Prerequisite: Permission of Department Chairperson required.

BIO 399Q Special Topics in Biology: Mammalogy-Adaptation, Diversity and Ecology of Mammals (3 credits)
This course will cover the major aspects of mammalian biology emphasizing evolution, structure, function, behavior, ecology and biogeography.

BIO 399R Topic: Field Course in Biological Oceanography and Marine Mammals (3 credits)
This is a field study course that will he held at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute in Woods Hole, MA. The discussions will include aspects of marine mammal ecology and ecosystem productivity. The human influence on marine mammal species will also be addressed. Prerequisite: BIO 102 and permission of department chairperson.

BIO 399S Topics in Biology: Urban Field Ecology (3 credits)
This course studies the flora of the metropolitan habitat. Discussions will include desirable and undesirable species. Course involves lectures, field trips and student projects growing plants in an urban horticultural setting using various growth media and under various conditions.

BIO 399T Topics in Biology: Research Methods For Ecological Field Studies (3 credits)
This course will review the ways in which biological data are collected, analyzed, and reported, so that informed decisions about ecosystem management and conservation can be made. The course will have both classroom and field components and will explore the many techniques employed by biologists to study important phenomena in ecology, such as territory and home range estimates, habitat evaluation, food habits, population viability analysis, population dynamics, GIS mapping, and genetic analyses. We will review both theoretical and methodological controversies associated with obtaining data from organisms.

BIO 399U Topic: Plants and People (3 credits)
Plants play an important role in many cultures from essential building material to hallucinogenic plants used during traditional ceremonies. Plants have also been used to clean contaminated soils in Chernobyl and other places. Learn how people use plants for food, medicine, cosmetics, insecticides, and more.

BIO 399Z Topics: Evolutionary Biology (3 credits )
This course focuses on the processes of evolution that lead to patterns of biodiversity. Topics covered will include the history of evolutionary theory, paleontology, phylogeny and classification, inheritance, genome evolution of populations, the evolution of communities, specification, and human evolution. Particular emphasis will be paid to the role of evolution in our everyday lives and the practical implications of evolutionary theory to medicine, agriculture, and conservation biology.

Note: Some courses listed here may run only once per academic year, or every other academic year. Not all courses are available on both campuses. The catalog is constantly changing. Visit the pace website to view the most current class schedule, class descriptions, and required or suggested prerequisites.